NRHEG Sports (656)
The latest game results and prognostications for NRHEG.{jcomments on}
Volleyballers open with two conference wins
Written by Jim Lutgens
ACTION AT THE NET — The Panthers’ Carlie Wagner (4) and Harlee Vokoun (11) go up for a block during Saturday’s Mankato West Invitational. The Panthers won their first two Gopher Conference matches last week. No results were available from the tournament. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG volleyball team opened the Gopher Conference schedule the same way it opened the regular season — victorious.
The Panthers improved to 3-0 overall and started the conference schedule 2-0 by beating WEM 3-1 and Blooming Prairie 3-2 last week.
On Tuesday, the Panthers traveled to Waterville and won 22-25, 25-23, 25-14, 28-26.
Senior Anna Schlaak had a huge night with 28 kills, 10 digs, five ace blocks and four ace serves.
"Anna did it all for us tonight,” said Panthers coach Joe Kuechenmeister.
Noelle Bartness dished out 45 set assists.
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG cross country teams traveled to the Montgomery-Lonsdale Invitational last week for their second outing of the season.
Out of 30 teams, the girls finished 25th with 660 points and the boys were seventh with 743.
Katherine Lewer, an eighth-grader, led the Panther girls with a 95th-place finish, clocking 18:37.8. Following for NRHEG were Melissa Malakowsky, 119th, 19:32.7; Crystal Olson, 146th, 21:14.5; Shantaya Olson, 148th, 21:36.5; Destinee Meyer, 152nd, 22:17.4; and Megan Conley, 161st, 24:46.
Prior Lake won the girls’ meet with 66 points. The Blake School was second at 109.
DEFENSE — The Panthers’ Casey Rosacker (9) and Seth Petranek (51) team up to stop Ryan McCabe (33) short of the goal line Friday night. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
AIR WAR — David Lassahn of NRHEG (8) goes up for a pass as Blooming Prairie’s Luc Zellmer (11) defends. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
Slow start, late touchdown costly for NRHEG football team in season opener
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
Many people were thinking this might be the year for Blooming Prairie, which had been less-than-awesome in facing coach Dan Stork and the NRHEG football team.
The Awesome Blossoms, who had never beaten a Stork-coached team, did so for the first time Friday night, escaping New Richland with a 33-30 victory in the final seconds of a season-opening thriller.
“I am very proud of our effort tonight,” said Stork, the Panthers’ ninth-year head coach. “Our kids played hard the full 48 minutes. Blooming Prairie is a very good football team.”
That was apparent early as the Blossoms — led by senior standout quarterback Luc Zellmer — dashed to a 20-0 lead before the first quarter ended.
On the first play from scrimmage, Zellmer hit Gabe Kartes with a pass across the middle that went 64 yards for a touchdown. Blooming Prairie led 7-0 after 10 seconds of play.
IMPRESSIVE OPENER — Anna Schlaak, left, gets set for dig as Harlee Vokoun watches in the Panthers’ season-opening 3-0 win at Albert Lea Aug. 30. (Star Eagle photo by Chris Schlaak)
By JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG volleyball team did not have a small-school, cream puff opponent for its 2011 season opener.
The Panthers traveled to Albert Lea of the Big Nine Conference Tuesday, Aug. 30 and came away with an impressive 3-0 triumph, winning 25-8, 25-20, 25-15.
“Overall, I’m very pleased with our first outing of 2011,” said second-year Panthers head coach Joe Kuechenmeister. “Our energy was high and our communication was above average for a season opening match, so that was great to see.”
Offensively, the Panthers stayed on the attack most of the night, keeping the Tigers on their heels.
“We've got several hitters who have a lot of power, and that's going to be to our advantage this season,” said Kuechenmeister.
Schiltz, Lewer lead CC teams in season opener
Written by Jim LutgensBy JIM LUTGENS
Editor/Publisher
The NRHEG cross country teams opened the 2011 season at Stewartville Thursday, Sept. 1.
No team results were available.
Sophomore T.J. Schiltz led the Panther boys, placing eighth in 14:28. Others: Jade Waltz, 61st, 17:24; Raece Johnson, 76th, 18:12; Dustin Burshem, 91st, 20:16; and Tyler Holz, 93rd, 20:40.
"It was a great effort by T.J.," said NRHEG coach Mike Weber. "Jade also did a nice job with Raece not far behind. Overall, I thought the boys did well for our first official meet of the season."
Katherine Lewer, an eighth-grader, led the NRHEG girls with a 44th-place finish, clocking 14:54. Following were Crystal Olson, 67th, 17:02; Destinee Meyer, 101st, 18:53; and Megan Conley, 114th, 19:34.
QCBA plans fund-raising bean drive for September
Written by Jim LutgensThe Quad Cities Baseball Association is pleased to announce that, thanks to many generous donations over the past years, as well as local businesses who advertise at Legion Field, the lights for the ballpark are finally paid off! The ability to play games at night has attracted various tournaments to our community over the years, bringing more business to the town of New Richland.
The next step in the long-term plan of the QCBA is to replace the fencing, which is no longer adequate for a varsity and Legion field. The hope is to enclose the baseball field with fence and possibly make it higher to provide better safety for ballplayers running after a ball. New backstops are also necessary on the softball fields, again mainly for safety reasons for players and spectators.
BIG TIME PLAYER — Hunter Pence, middle, poses for a photo with relatives Jeremy and Brandon Hartung before a July 4 game this season. Pence was recently traded from the Astros to the Philadelphia Phillies. Pence has relatives in the area. (Submitted photo)
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
It has been said that Hunter Pence is one of the best young players in major league baseball, that he epitomizes the way the game should be played.
Apparently, the Philadelphia Phillies thought so too.
The National League power recently traded for the Houston Astros outfielder who has roots deep in Minnesota and Texas.
Pence, son of Howard Pence, who lived in Southern Minnesota for many years, was one of the players who participated in the All-Star Game on July 12th, which was played in Phoenix. His grandmother, Delphine (Peterson) Pence, currently lives in Albert Lea, though she and the late Phillip Pence lived in Geneva for many years.
The trade to Philadelphia was not necessarily Pence’s idea as he lived his entire life in Texas, but it does provide him a good chance of playing in the World Series some day. Pence is baseball through and through. He plays the game for fun, not fortune.
No one could have been prouder of his cousin than Larry Pence of Albert Lea.
NATIONAL CHAMPS — Torey Richards, right, and her dad, Tomm Richards, with the 2011 Class A NAFA National Fast-Pitch Softball championship trophy. (Submitted photo)
Torey Richards helps Mankato Peppers team win 2011 national championship
By KATHY PAULSEN
Staff Writer
Torey Richards, catcher for the Mankato Peppers 12-and-under fast-pitch softball team, helped her team win the 2011 Class A NAFA National Fast-pitch Softball tournament. A total of 77 teams competed in the four-day tournament July 21-24 at Eagan, Minn. The Peppers girls’ softball team, coached by Torey’s dad, Tomm Richards, finished the tournament undefeated.
The team has had an outstanding year. The Mankato squad didn't allow a run or commit an error in the final five bracket games to complete a remarkable 48-5-2 tournament season with seven tourney championships.
Torey comes from a family very familar with the sport of fast-pitch softball. Tomm Richards started his fast-pitch softball career playing for the Da Boys fast-pitch team, which was based out of Geneva, and her mother, Tara, also played fast-pitch softball in high school.
Torey’s sisters have all played some softball, but not competitively, as Torey has for the past three years. Tristan is 20 and will be junior at Gustavus Adolphus this fall. Taya is 15 and will be a sophmore at Mankato East; Torey is 12 and will be in seventh grade at Mankato East; and Tiegen is 6 and will be going into first grade.
Torey is the granddaughter of Dan and Sue Richards and Paul and Diane Stollard of Geneva.
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
Lack of offense plagued the New Richland Reds during their regular season. The playoffs were more of the same as the home team failed to score a single run in back-to-back 1-0 losses.
Cleveland Condors 1, Reds 0
It took 13 innings to decide the first playoff contest on Saturday, July 23. Mitch Akemann held the Cleveland Condors scoreless for nine and two-thirds innings, but couldn’t get any run support. Vinnie VanEnglenburg led the offense with two singles. Chris Somage and Jake Staloch had one hit each.
Waterville Indians 1, Reds 0
The Indians opened the scoring with one run in the first inning and it proved to be enough as the Reds made an early exit from the 13-60 League playoffs.
Aaron Gilliland collected two hits, which included a double. Seth Seth Tukua doubled in the sixth. Bjorn Peterson led off with a single in the seventh, but the threat was terminated with three successive outs.
VanEnglenburg was masterful on the mound, going the distance while allowing only four hits and the single run.
“It was a very disappointing end to the season,” said Jason Churchill, Reds player-manager. “We struggled on offense in the regular season and couldn’t turn it around. We’re now looking forward to our 2012 season in hopes to improve the offense, and to continue playing the excellent defense as we did in the second half of this year.”
New Richland’s Legion Field is the site for youth baseball tournaments this weekend.
Starting Friday, July 22 and running through Sunday, New Richland will host the 15-and-under and 13-and-under tournaments for Quad Cities teams.
A concession stand will be available.
More...
13-and-under baseball team runs season record to 6-2-2
Written by Jim LutgensThe QCBA 13-and-under baseball team has been busy lately, running its season record to 6-2-2.
On July 5, the team played to a 13-13 tie at St. Clair. Leading hitters: Wyatt Fitterer 2-for-3 with two doubles; John Cole 1-for-3; Trey Hoppe 1-for-3 with a double and one RBI; Zeke Erickson 1-for-3 with two RBIs; Trai Wicks 2-for-2; Dempsey Tucker 1-for-2 with two RBIs; Brody Hanson 1-for-2 with a double; Erik Colstrup 1-for-2. Wicks started on the mound. Eli Lutgens, Luke Overgaard and Tucker pitched in relief.
The next night, the locals held off the Waseca Legion 4-3 at Waseca. Hoppe was 1-for-1 with a double; Palmer Peterson 1-for-2 with one RBI; Erickson 2-for-2 with one RBI; Wicks 1-for-3; Lutgens 1-for-1. Hoppe was the starting pitcher, fanning three. Tucker struck out six in relief.
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
The New Richland American Legion baseball team saw their state tournament dreams come to an end as they went 2-2 in the playoffs. The Jazz was the number four seed and had to get through some tough teams in their section.
Jazz 6, Dodge Center 3
The Jazz exploded for five of their six runs in the bottom of the second inning and with some good pitching were able to hang on for the win. Carter Tollefson, Nic Mangskau, Matt Dahle, Mitch Akemann, Jake Staloch and Lucas Meyer all garnered one hit each. Akemann started on the mound giving up three runs. Sam Lundberg came on in relief in the fourth inning and allowed no hits or runs, a single walk and fanned eight.
“This was a good team effort,” said Jazz manager Jon Meyer. “Lundberg did a great job of pitching to help us hold on to the lead.”
Stewartville 10, Jazz 0 (six innings)
The Jazz traveled to Stewartville to take on the number one seed on Wednesday, July 13 and were kept scoreless. David Lassahn couldn’t keep the opponents at bay through four innings as he allowed seven runs on 10 hits. Mangskau threw innings five and six, allowing three more runs. Leading hitters for the Jazz were Brad Claycomb (2-3) and Lundberg (2-3.) Dahle, Akemann and Meyer each contributed one hit apiece.
Jazz 3, Hayfield 0
The Jazz needed to keep winning to stay in the playoffs as they made a return trip to Stewartville on July 16. They snuck by the Hayfield Legion team as Akemann pitched a complete game, allowing only five hits, two walks and three strikeouts. Staloch and Akemann each collected two hits. Mangskau, Dahle, Tollefson and Eric Sorenson each had one hit.
Rochester Lourdes, 6, Jazz 2
The season ended on Monday as games which should have been played on Saturday were moved due to wet fields. The number three seed Lourdes hammered Lundberg for 12 hits en route to eliminating the Jazz from contention.
The Jazz countered with only three hits, doubles by Akemann and Tollefson and a single by Lundberg.
The American Legion District One Tournament will be this weekend in LaCrescent. The state competition will be held in Ely July 29-31.
The top runners for the Second Annual Panther Fun Run/Walk on Saturday were Jordan Warke (1st, 2-mile run,) T. J. Schlitz (2nd, Men’s 5-K,) Michele Conley (1st, Women’s 5-K,) and Dave Tappe (1st, Men’s 5-K.) The event was just many for the New Richland Farm and City Days celebration. (Star Eagle photo by Jody Wynnemer)
By JODY WYNNEMER
Staff Writer
As the regular season dwindles down for the New Richland Reds Baseball Club, the month of July has proven difficult at best. The Reds have one more scheduled league game against Wells before their playoff run and hopes of a state tourney berth.
Morristown 3, Reds 0
The Morristown Morries were in town on June 22 and the New Richland nine couldn’t find their bats as the lineup could only muster five hits on their home field.
“Vinnie VanEnglenburg pitched a great game, but the offense couldn't get timely hits when needed,” said Reds Skipper Jason Churchill. “We definitely had a few chances to get on the board, but just couldn't get a big two-out hit when we needed it. In two innings, we had lead off doubles and couldn't convert which was very disappointing. Vinnie is really starting to find his groove again so that was a big positive that came from this game.”
Seth Tukua and Bjorn Peterson had two hits each of the five hit total.